Houseboat rates in Alleppey at a glance
Each operator sets its own rates, and they change with the season. The figures on this page are price examples with the period they apply to. They are not an average and not a full range. A rate from the winter of 2025/26 does not apply to a trip in 2027, and a starting price may differ from the price on your date.
All amounts are in Indian rupees (INR) as of 2026 unless a different period is named. Some quotes add GST, so ask whether the number you see is the final one.
Our picks: houseboats at different prices
Three ways to get on a houseboat, from a day cruise to a night on board. Compare what is included before you decide, since transfers and meals differ.
Hand-picked tours, booked through GetYourGuide. Prices are indicative starting prices in US dollars (as of October 2026). Tap a tour for live availability and the current price in your currency.
Two-day houseboat cruise with transfers from Kochi
- One night on a houseboat
- Lunch, dinner and breakfast
- Private air-conditioned transfers
A traditional houseboat with captain and cook, plus help on arrival and departure. Cameras may carry a fee on board, so ask before booking.
Check availability →
Backwater houseboat day cruise from Kochi
- Three to four hours on a houseboat
- Lunch, tea and snacks
- Air-conditioned transfers
A long day that links Kochi, Alleppey and Kumarakom with a lunch cruise in the middle. Taxes and service charges are covered.
Check availability →
Alleppey houseboat day trip from Cochin
- Hotel or airport pickup
- Houseboat cruise with lunch
- Evening tea and snacks
A ten-hour day with a driver from Cochin to Alleppey and back, with tolls and parking covered.
Check availability →Alleppey houseboat cruises and prices
Houseboat day cruises and overnight stays on the backwaters, with live prices and availability.
Price examples by season
Examples with the period each price applies to.
| Boat | Period | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One-bedroom deluxe | 1 October 2025 to April 2026 | INR 15,500 per night |
| Same boat, peak weeks | 10 December 2025 to 10 January 2026 | INR 20,150 per night |
| One-bedroom super luxury, air-conditioned all day | 1 October to 24 December 2025 and 6 January to 31 March 2026 | INR 48,000 plus 5 percent GST |
| Same boat, peak weeks | 24 December 2025 to 6 January 2026 | INR 73,000 plus 5 percent GST |
| One-bedroom deluxe, premium, luxury | Low season 2026, price list of 20 August 2026 | From INR 10,000, 15,000 and 20,000 plus GST, meals included |
| Day cruise, up to two guests | 2026, 11:00 to 17:00 | From INR 9,000 plus GST |
The first four rows come from the winter of 2025/26 and show how much a season can change the price, not what you will pay in the winter of 2026/27. Peak weeks around Christmas and New Year cost more than the rest of the season. Prices for the end of 2026 depend on the operator, so ask for a quote for your dates. On 24 December and 6 January two seasons meet in the table, so ask which rate applies on those days. For most travellers on a budget, a one-bedroom deluxe boat outside the peak weeks is the sensible starting point.
What changes the price
Compare the same category on the same dates.
Season
The low-season starting prices above apply to a quiet period. Surcharges apply from October to March and in the Christmas and New Year weeks, so a starting price rarely matches the price on your date.
Air conditioning
Deluxe has bedroom air conditioning from 21:00 to 06:00, premium has it in the bedroom all day, and luxury cools the whole boat. These labels differ by operator and are not the same as the state classification grades.
GST and extras
Some prices add GST, and one super luxury rate adds 5 percent. Air conditioning on a day cruise costs extra. Ask for the final amount in writing.
Children and guests
Children's rates differ by operator, so ask. A day cruise at INR 9,000 covers up to two guests.
Alleppey boat house booking: how it works
Ask what the first payment covers.
You can book directly with an operator or through a booking counter. A prepaid counter run by the District Tourism Promotion Council (DTPC) takes an advance payment, which is not the full fare. Operators ask for a deposit, so confirm the amount. Before you pay, confirm the boarding point, the check-in and check-out times, the meals and the cancellation terms. An overnight stay usually runs from check-in around 11:30 and departure around 12:00 to check-out around 09:00, and the boat anchors between 17:00 and 17:30.
A trip with a fixed route across lakes and narrow canals may change with weather and traffic on the water. Read the houseboat guide for the licence questions to ask, use the backwaters page to plan the route and check the weather page for the season. These rates cover houseboats in Alleppey, and they say nothing about boats elsewhere in Kerala.
Houseboat rates in Alleppey: frequently asked questions
How much does a houseboat in Alleppey cost per night?
Low-season starting prices for 2026 are INR 10,000, 15,000 and 20,000 plus GST for a one-bedroom deluxe, premium and luxury boat, with meals included. In the winter season of 2025/26 a deluxe boat cost INR 15,500 in one example. Your price depends on date, boat and meals.
How much is a houseboat day cruise?
From INR 9,000 plus GST for up to two guests, for 6 hours from 11:00 to 17:00 with lunch, tea and snacks (example, 2026). Air conditioning costs extra.
Are the prices higher at Christmas and New Year?
Yes. In the winter of 2025/26 a deluxe boat cost INR 20,150 instead of INR 15,500 from 10 December to 10 January in one example. A super luxury boat cost INR 73,000 plus GST instead of INR 48,000 between 24 December and 6 January. Prices for the end of 2026 depend on the operator.
Is GST included?
Not always. Several rates above are plus GST, and one super luxury rate adds 5 percent. Ask whether the quote is final.
Do children pay?
It depends on the operator. Some let small children stay free, others charge, so ask before you book.
Do I need to pay a deposit?
Usually yes. A prepaid counter run by DTPC takes an advance as well. Neither is the full fare, so ask what the rest costs and when it is due.